| [Image: Photo of tomato ] |
| [Image: Photo of tomato] |
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Question: What is causing my tomatoes to crack and spilt just before they are ready to be harvested?
Answer: The recent rainfall has something to do with this physiological problem. If the plants were too dry and we receive a heavy rainfall, the fruit can only absorb so much moisture before they begin to split and crack. Some varieties (such as Celebrity) are more susceptible to cracking, especially concentric ring cracks on top of the fruit. Uniform watering will help prevent this along with some type of organic or inorganic mulch to help retain uniform moisture in the rows or raised beds. In addition, high nitrogen and low potassium are often implicated in fruit cracking; therefore, proper plant nutrition and adequate, regular irrigation will reduce the likelihood of growth cracks.